Environmental and Ecological Significance

Soil organic matter plays pivotal role in various ecological functions summarized as follows  

Wetlands are important components of the landscape (6% of the total land surface) and exert significant influence over global carbon budgets and climate change. Wetlands contain approximately 

Methane emissions are measured in situ by using closed chamber placed over a unit area of a wetland. The chamber may or may not include vegetation. A net increase in methane concentration 

FIGURE 5.61 Pathways for emission of methane and carhon dioxide prodnced in wetlands. 

FIGURE 5.62 (a) Relationship between soil depth and methane concentrations (Reddy, K. R., Unpublished 

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